Weeknight Zucchini Boats Recipe

Four baked zucchini boats filled with melted cheese and tomato mixture, served on parchment paper with basil leaves and a side of tomato sauce.

Weeknight Zucchini Boats Recipe

These weeknight zucchini boats are simple to make and packed with comforting flavor. With just a few ingredients, they turn zucchini into a hearty dinner that feels filling without a lot of work.

Course Main Course, Main Dishes

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Keyword ground turkey, lengthwise, marinara sauce, mozzarella, mozzarella cheese, parmesan, scoop, side dish, skillet, sprinkle, squash, stuffed zucchini boat, zucchini, zucchini boat, zucchini boats recipe, zucchini flesh, zucchini recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Servings Servings

Calories 119kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

Ingredients

1/2 Cup Mozzarella grated
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
2 Pieces Zucchinis medium, split and cored
1/2 teaspoon Dried Basil
1/4 Cup Onion diced
1/2 Cup Marinara Sauce
1/2 Pound Ground Turkey lean

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°Fahrenheit (190°Celsius) and line or lightly grease a baking dish. Wash the zucchinis, slice them lengthwise, scoop out the centers to form boats, and place them cut-side up in the dish.
Cook the ground turkey and chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat for 6–8 minutes, breaking up the meat until fully browned and the onion is soft.
Stir garlic powder and dried basil into the turkey mixture, then add the marinara sauce. Mix well and cook briefly until heated through, then remove from heat.
Fill each zucchini boat with the turkey mixture and top with shredded mozzarella. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

Choose Medium-Sized Zucchini: Look for zucchini that are medium in size, large enough to hold filling but not too thick. Smaller zucchini can be too narrow and won’t hold much, while extra-large ones may turn mushy.
Scoop Gently: Use a spoon to carefully scoop out the middle of the zucchini, leaving a thin border. This helps them hold their shape while baking and keeps the texture just right.
Pre-Cook the Filling: Cooking the filling in a skillet first lets you layer in flavor before it goes into the oven. It makes the final baking time quicker and more even.
Add Cheese Near the End: If you're topping your boats with cheese, add it during the last 5–10 minutes of baking. This keeps it melty and golden without overcooking or burning.

Nutrition